A blepharoplasty, or eyelid lift, is a delicate procedure where the eyelid is altered to correct any drooping or sagging that has occurred due to the normal aging process. In this procedure, surgical methods are used to remove skin and excess fat from the eyelid, leaving behind a flattened and smoothed lid that can ease any frustrations a patient might have had previous to surgery. Some eyelids droop only enough to be a nuisance or prevent a smooth makeup application, and some eyelids sag down over the eye lashes and can obstruct a person’s vision. Whatever the severity may be, an eyelid lift offers a practical solution to this unavoidable side effect of aging.
If you have planned or are considering a blepharoplasty procedure in the near future, you should be aware of what the recovery process will be like. Planning your surgery for a time that is convenient for you to get rest and abide by your doctor-mandated restrictions is the key to success. Help achieve the results you want from your blepharoplasty by planning ahead for an easy, effective recovery.
Get Prepped Physically for a Successful Surgery
Leading up to your eyelid lift surgery, it’s important to make sure you keep yourself in top form and don’t get sick. Make sure to keep up with any medications, vitamins, or supplements you take regularly and don’t put yourself into a situation where you are prone to illness. Stay away from those with obvious signs of illness and be sure to wash your hands regularly. This will be essential for the week leading up to your procedure, since a last-minute virus could mean your procedure gets rescheduled. Follow your plastic surgeon’s instructions exactly to be sure you do everything you can to keep your eyelid lift surgery on schedule.
Get Ready for Your Procedure
Before your eyelid lift procedure, you want to make sure that everything is in order in and around the house so you can concentrate on your recovery. Ask someone to drive you to and from your procedure, as driving won’t be allowed until your eyes have healed. If you have pets, make arrangements for someone to care for them for the first couple of days after your procedure, as basic activities like walking or feeding them may be too difficult. If possible, ask a friend or family member to stay with you for the first 48 hours to assist you with any activities you can’t manage on your own.
Prepare a recovery area for yourself that includes comfortable pillows, blankets, loose-fitting clothes like sweat pants, and shirts that button down the front so you won’t have to pull them over your head. Stock your area with bottles of water, any vitamins or medications you take regularly, quick snacks like granola bars or trail mix, and plenty of things to keep you entertained. Buy a few new magazines and save them to read during your recovery or load up your eReader with the new book from a favorite author. Position your Recovery Area on your bed or on the couch, wherever you are most comfortable and have the best access to other parts of your home.
Make sure your home is clear of clutter so you don’t trip on anything when you’re going to the bathroom or kitchen. Take out the trash, do the laundry, and wash the dishes before your procedure as well; you don’t want to find yourself doing menial housework when you should be resting and recuperating! A blepharoplasty procedure does not require a very long recovery period, but that doesn’t make it any less vital that you take it seriously and give your body the environment and the time in which to heal itself.
Get Recovered from Your Blepharoplasty
Once your procedure is over, you will most likely experience some minor bruising and swelling around the eye area. Often this side effect is minimal and can be disguised by even a light cover of makeup after the first week of recovery. Swelling will be the worst on the day after your surgery, but should gradually start to go down. Cool compresses may be used, with clearance from your doctor, to reduce the bruising and swelling; this is most effective during the first 48 hours of your recovery. Dissolvable sutures will be used to close the incisions, so you will not have to return to have any stitches removed.
Returning to light activity like walking is a good way to get moving again after surgery and will also speed the healing process. Check with your plastic surgeon about when you will be allowed to begin walking or other similar light activities. The usual timeframe it takes people to return to their normal activities is 7 to 10 days following blepharoplasty surgery. The majority of bruising and swelling should fade within the first two weeks. If you’re concerned about excess swelling, bruising, or other discomforting side effects, contact your plastic surgeon’s office to discuss these issues.
Get Started with a Blepharoplasty Surgery
If you aren’t already scheduled for your eyelid lift surgery but have been considering one, now is the perfect time to contact Dr. Philip Schoenfeld and schedule your first consultation. He is the founder and Medical Director of Renu Med Spa and the Washington Facial Cosmetic Surgery Center of Chevy Chase, Maryland, providing his expertise as a board certified facial plastic surgeon to every client. Dr. Schoenfeld has been practicing facial plastic and reconstructive surgery as facelift, rhinoplasty procedures since 1994, with a long history of patient successes and a sterling reputation for results. Additionally, he is at the forefront of the newest proven technologies and techniques available for facial plastic surgery, so your procedure and care will involve only the latest advancements in the field of plastic surgery.
Contact the Renu Med Spa today, located at 5454 Wisconsin Ave, Suite 1625, in Chevy Chase, Maryland, by calling (301) 652-RENU (7368). Dr. Schoenfeld can help you decide whether an eyelid lift is the right procedure for you and answer any other questions you may have about plastic surgery procedures.